We are known to pressure cookers for ages, but air fryer is new in the market. Its hype is expanding with the advancing time. Both are wholly different products. The only similarity between the two is that both are kitchen appliances.
Air fryers were available to the general population in 2010, and in 2018, its market size was valued at 658 million dollars in the USA. However, it is expected to be 1425 million dollars to 2026. So the hype is real!
Let’s come to our main topic ’What is the difference between air fryer and pressure cooker’
what is the difference between air fryer and pressure cooker: [ Main Difference ]
Here are some key differences between pressure cooker and air fryer.
Cooking method:
The pressure cooker works on the steaming system. It generates pressure in the pot and accelerates the whole cooking process. It has a sealed lid that can not be opened before the meal is done. It works by adding some liquid inside it which generates the steam. Once the pressure is build up and the temperature rises. It is advised not to open the seal, otherwise, the pressure will get distorted and the food will not cook to its perfection.
Air fryers work by circulating hot air. It features a fan that delivers air which is heated by a heating element. As the hot air circulates rapidly, the temperature rises and the food is cooked. This technology gives the food a crispy texture. The air fryer doesn’t need any liquid, it cooks the food by rapid air technology. Air fryers can be opened to flip the food or check if it’s done.
Design:
The design of both products is also different. Pressure cooker is just like a pot sealed with a lid, while the air fryer is like an oven. It is a versatile product, it can be used for baking, grilling, and frying. If you’ve used air fryer with rotisserie, it even has a rod in it for the rotisserie. Likewise, some have a grill in it.
Healthier food:
Air fryer is referred as a healthier option as it doesn’t use oil. This cuts the calorie content from your food. Do you know that one tablespoon of oil has 120 calories in it? That’s a huge amount if you take only 2000 calories per day.
On the other hand, pressure cookers need some liquid to proceed cooking, making it an unhealthy choice.
Performance:
Both are labeled as faster cooking options. Yet, if we compare a pressure cooker with an air fryer, the air fryer has a faster cooking method. Pressure cookers tend to be faster, but it is not more than an air fryer.
Maintenance:
When we talk about maintenance, the pressure cooker wins here because it is easy to clean than an air fryer. It is simply a pot that can be washed easily in your sink while air fryers are difficult to maintain. It can not be washed. You have to go through a ton of steps to clean it. However, if you’re using an air fryer for one person, it has removable parts that are easy to clean. Some are even dishwasher safe.
Monitoring:
You can not open a pressure cooker for monitoring the food, while air fryer has the option to open for flipping or monitoring the food. On the other hand, if you open a pressure cooker to monitor food, it loses all its pressure and requires a lot of time to again build up the pressure. This distorts the taste of the food badly.
What’s better? Air fryer vs Pressure cooker:
If we compare air fryer to pressure cooker and think what’s better, the short answer is Air fryer. Yes, an air fryer is better than a pressure cooker, Here’s why:
Capacity:
An air fryer has more capacity than a pressure cooker. You can cook a whole chicken roast, regular pizza, and a round cake in air fryer, while pressure cooker can’t take this much food.
Safety:
Air fryers are safe to use. You might have heard of pressure cooker accidents but nothing similar happens with an air fryer. It is also safe from the health side as it uses no or minimal oil. This reduces the calories in fried food by up to 85%. Your risk of elevated cholesterol and heart diseases ultimately comes to an end with the use of air fried food.
Ease of use:
Air fryers are easy to use with simple operation. They have adjustable temperature settings. You can cook the food at the desired temperature. Moreover, some air fryers come with a single button operation that is the easiest to use.
Saves energy:
Air fryer cooks food efficiently within no time. Lesser time, lesser energy consumption. Hence, it saves you from huge electricity bills with low energy consumption.
Functionality:
Air fryer is a versatile kitchen appliance. You can bake, defrost, roast, fry, and dehydrate in a single unit. Some air fryers come with a grill while few have a rod for rotisserie. It gives you the exact same taste of deep fried food with no oil.
Saves money:
Air fryers cut your need to buy a conventional oven as it is versatile and serves the purpose of many appliances in a single unit. This saves your money from spending on other kitchenware. Moreover, it also saves on cooking oil as it fries food without any use of cooking oil.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Can a pressure cooker be used as an air fryer?
No, a pressure cooker can not be used as an air fryer. Both are different kitchen appliances serving different functions. You can not fry food in a pressure cooker. You can not bake, grill, or roast in it. However, an air fryer serves all these functions.
Which is better ? air fryer or pressure cooker?
Both have their own features. However, if we look upon the versatility and functionality, air fryer is a better option. It serves as a baking oven, dehydrator, defroster, deep fryer, and heating oven in a single unit.
Do air fryer need oil?
No, air fryers totally cut the need for cooking oil. It cooks food with minimal or no oil while giving you the same taste of deep fried food.
Conclusion:
We hope you have got your answer to ’What is the difference between air fryer and pressure cooker’. From the cooking method to the functionality, we have covered all the basic information regarding a pressure cooker and an air fryer. Moreover, we have also mentioned the pros and cons to help you decide which one is a better option for you.
